What is Hypnosis?  |  What is Hypnotherapy?  |  Why Use Hypnotherapy?

what is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis and inner imagery therapeutically for the purpose of achieving subconscious behavior modification. The conscious mind that we use daily as a tool, is actually only about 12% of our total mind, whereas the subconscious mind is a whopping 88%! The subconscious mind stores all our past experiences, thoughts, feelings, and learned behaviors.

When we react to something in our environment, we think we are reacting with the conscious mind, but often what is happening is that something from our past is being triggered in our subconscious. As a result, we often over-react to things in the present, in emotional and fearful ways, and we don’t understand why we feel the way we do.

Our subconscious mind is actually directing a lot of our actions, reactions, and feelings about who we are, what we are capable of, and what we deserve in life. Hypnotherapy is a way of accessing the subconscious and altering those old "tapes" and behaviors (often called our "life script") and replacing them with positive feelings and behaviors.

In hypnosis, which is a state of deep relaxation with a focused mind, a "doorway" to the subconscious is opened. Then, this natural state of heightened suggestibility and receptivity allows you to absorb and accept new images of yourself, replace negative thinking with positive thoughts, and get in touch with your true inner resources and inner strengths. In this way, hypnotherapy is an extremely effective means for promoting and supporting changes in behaviors, attitudes, motivation, self-esteem and self-confidence.

When a hypnotherapist, with your permission only, guides you into a hypnotic state for the purposes of facilitating the changes you are seeking, she is acting in partnership with you to harness the enormous power of your mind. Using hypnosis and imagery, you can begin to align your subconscious with your conscious desires and direct 100% of your mental power towards your personal goals.

"The purpose of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique is to help you understand and gain more control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being."
~ Mayo Clinic, December 2003